Section 4: Mountain Cherry Blossoms, Scatter Without a Trace

...Mr. Kondou told me about your request.

Are you sure you want me to do this, Mr. Yamanami?

I'm sure. I'm just sorry to put this on your shoulders.

Haha, I guess I've been making nothing but trouble for you for a while now, haven't I?

...Why didn't you just run away back then, Mr. Yamanami?

Hahaha, you know as well as I do that there was no way I could ever escape from you.

I'm a slow runner, and my meager sword skills can't even hope to compare to a genius like you.

I have to say, it was downright cruel of Hijikata to send you after me.

You didn't have to stay! I told you it was okay to run!

Mr. Hijikata would've been fine with it!

That's why I didn't try to run. I've no doubt Hijikata had already taken all that into consideration.

But I would've let you go! All you had to do was run away!

...Maybe you're right. Maybe I could have made it back to Edo if I'd just kept running.

I don't know how else to explain it. All I can say is...I just didn't know anymore.

...

Ever since I left Edo for the capital and helped form the Shinsengumi, I've been running around frantically under Kondou's command.

Running here, running there, back and forth and near and far...

...

Then, one day...

...I stopped and looked back.

Mr. Yamanami...

That was when my fate was sealed.

From then on, all I could think about was my old life in the hometown I left behind. Before I even knew what I was doing, I'd already left the base.

...

Now go on. Get some sleep.

...

...

...It's okay, Hijikata.

Since we chose Commander Kondou that night, this is the only path we have left.

...

Phew, there it is.

I finally found the Singularity I'm guessing Fujimaru and the others got transported to.

Looks like it's in third century Japan.

Looks like? You mean you're not certain?

Not exactly. I can't get a clear look at the coordinates or the time period, so I've only got an approximate location to go on.

...Which means we also can't establish a connection with Fujimaru, so we can't find out what's going on with the Singularity from him, either.

That said, there's no mistaking these readings. Definitely GUDAGUDA Particles. I really hoped we were done with those.

GUDAGUDA Particles? That's an absurd name. What the hell are they?

Well, it's more of a placeholder name than an official one. As for your question, they're a kind of magical energy signal emitted by our friendly(?) neighborhood Demon King of the Sixth Heaven.

Man, I would've been so much happier never getting to the bottom of this mystery...

Hmm. Sounds to Chacha like Auntie's causing heaps of trouble again!

Maybe. But then again, there's something weirdly off about this, even for GUDAGUDA shenanigans. Hmm...

Well, if nothing else, at least this might help us bring Fujimaru and the others back.

Is that so? Then we should go after them.

Hell yeah! 'Sides, no way I'm letting Master have all the fun without me!

Chacha thinks Nagayoshi might not understand the severity of the problem here!

At any rate, I'll do my best to Rayshift you guys somewhere close...

...so do your best to bring Fujimaru and the gang back, okay?

Understood. This is going to be a dangerous mission, Chacha, so it's okay if you want to stay here.

Chacha!? You're the one who's always wandering into danger, Little Okita!

Besides, His Imperial Highness said no good could ever come of letting Nagayoshi here run around unsupervised!

Hahahahaha! Gotta hand it to Lord Toyotomi; he knows what he's talking about!

See? What did Chacha tell you about him not understanding the severity?

All right, we'll all go together like the good friends we are then. Does everyone have their box lunches?

Um... Are we quite certain these people are up to the task?

Don't worry, Chacha will take care of everything! Believe it or not, at the Siege of Osaka

Curse you, old tanuki Tokugawaaaaaa!!!

Oh, come ON! This can't possibly end well!

Fou, fooou...

Worry not. I'll go with them as well.

I can't sit around sipping tea all day and letting my skills atrophy, after all.

Hahahahaha! I know, right!?

The best tea's the tea you drink AFTER winning a battle!

Exactly!

There's nothing better than a hot cup of afternoon tea and a freshly made rice ball after a hard morning's work culling excess Sabers!

And while I may not know much about GUDAGUDA Particles, I'm definitely picking up a few new Saber signals!

Go ahead and watch me while you're away at that Japanese sweets fair, Ex! I'll nip these new Sabers in the bud before they know what snipped 'em!

This is NOT what I would call encouraging!

Okay, I think we're ready. Let's go.

You got it!

Oh, I almost forgot. Take this with you.

A bag?

Oh, I just threw in some stuff I thought would help, given the time period you're heading to and everything.

You can call it "Da Vinci's Secret Goodie Bag"♪

Enjoy!

Nope. I'm not even going to acknowledge that strange sound effect I just heard. I won't. No, no, no.

All right guys, get ready to Rayshift!

Phew, there it is.

I finally found the Singularity I'm guessing Fujimaru and the others got transported to.

Looks like it's in third century Japan.

Looks like? You mean you're not sure?

Not exactly. I can't get a clear look at the coordinates or the time period, so I've only got an approximate location to go on.

...Which means we also can't establish a connection with Fujimaru, so we can't find out what's going on with the Singularity from him, either.

That said, there's no mistaking these readings. Definitely GUDAGUDA Particles. I really hoped we were done with those.

GUDAGUDA Particles? That's an absurd name. What the hell are they?

Well, it's more of a placeholder name than an official one. As for your question, they're a kind of magical energy signal emitted by our friendly(?) neighborhood Demon King of the Sixth Heaven.

Man, I would've been so much happier never getting to the bottom of this mystery...

Hmm. Sounds to Chacha like Auntie's causing heaps of trouble again!

Maybe. But then again, there's something weirdly off about this, even for GUDAGUDA shenanigans. Hmm...

Well, if nothing else, at least this might help us bring Fujimaru and the others back.

Is that so? Then we should go after them.

Hell yeah! 'Sides, no way I'm letting Master have all the fun without me!

Chacha thinks Nagayoshi might not understand the severity of the problem here!

At any rate, I'll do my best to Rayshift you guys somewhere close...

...so do your best to bring Fujimaru and the gang back, okay?

Understood. This is going to be a dangerous mission, Chacha, so it's okay if you want to stay here.

Chacha!? You're the one who's always wandering into danger, Little Okita!

Besides, His Imperial Highness said no good could ever come of letting Nagayoshi here run around unsupervised!

Hahahahaha! Gotta hand it to Lord Toyotomi; he knows what he's talking about!

See? What did Chacha tell you about him not understanding the severity?

All right, we'll all go together like the good friends we are then. Does everyone have their box lunches?

Yeah, I can't help but be worried given who we're sending...

Don't worry, Chacha will take care of everything! Believe it or not, at the Siege of Osaka

Curse you, old tanuki Tokugawaaaaaa!!!

Oh, come ON! This can't possibly end well!

Fou, fooou...

Worry not. I'll go with them as well.

I can't sit around sipping tea all day and letting my skills atrophy, after all.

Hahahahaha! I know, right!?

The best tea's the tea you drink AFTER winning a battle!

Exactly!

There's nothing better than a hot cup of afternoon tea and a freshly made rice ball after a hard morning's work culling excess Sabers!

And while I may not know much about GUDAGUDA Particles, I'm definitely picking up a few new Saber signals!

Go ahead and watch me while you're away at that Japanese sweets fair, Ex! I'll nip these new Sabers in the bud before they know what snipped 'em!

We're doomed.

Okay, I think we're ready. Let's go.

You got it!

Oh, I almost forgot. Take this with you.

A bag?

Oh, I just threw in some stuff I thought would help, given the time period you're heading to and everything.

You can call it "Da Vinci's Secret Goodie Bag"♪

Enjoy!

Whatever that weird sound was, I'm not asking about it. Just want you to know.

All right guys, get ready to Rayshift!

We're in trouble! People being controlled by the Dark Blight are attacking the village!

And they're being led by the dark Shinsengumi!

Let's go, Senpai!

So the scoundrels calling themselves the Shinsengumi have shown their faces again, huh.

Come on, Mr. Saito! Mr. Yamanami!

Wait. Where are they?

Both Saito and Yamanami have been out investigating the haniwa since this morning...

All right, fine. Come on, Okada! Wait. Don't tell me he's not here, either!?

Izo said he isn't feeling well. Apparently he drank too much of the sake the villagers gave us...

Ugh, I should've known better than to count on him for anything.

Hand it over... Hand it over... Hand it over!!!

That's right! Steal it all, or else you lot will starve to death!

Waaaaaah!

Aah! Our rice harvest!

Hand it over... Hand it over!

H-help! Somebody!

Hand it oveeeeeer!

Snap out of it!

Aaaaaargh!

It seems your kidou power works well against them, Sister.

Lady God of War, I apologize for this presumptuous request...

But could you please do your best to hold off the people controlled by the Dark Blight?

Okay! We have to take out whoever's controlling them!

I am Nagao Kagetora, Echigo's god of war!

Now, prepare to face Bishamonten's justice, foul ruffians!

Ahahahaha! Kill them!

No, no, that's exactly what I asked you NOT to do.

Wh-who the hell is this woman!? Go on! Surround her and take her out!

Sorry we're late, Himiko!

Futuro! Sorry to ask, but would you mind getting the people I free from Dark Blight out of here?

But, there are so many of them!

？！

Ugh, dammit! This is exactly why I hate being on the front line!

All right, Sister's Master, I'll call the villagers to help me get these people out of here. In the meantime, you do something about those guys!

Hah! Do you really think your meager forces can do anything against

Talking trash on the battlefield? Some Shinsengumi you are.

Ahahahaha! I'm glad to see you get it!

Now come on, you so-called Shinsengumi, and face Bishamonten's wrath! Dieee!

Is that all of them?

Most, anyway.

But we've still got to take out their leader.

Well, well. If it isn't Souji, of all people.

You're

Wahaha! The Captain of the Shinsengumi's First Unit would never forget her own commander's face now, would she!?

So, that's the Shinsengumi

？！

Mr...Serizawa!?

Take them to the evacuation shelter I set up over there! Children and seniors alike! Hurry!

Your efficiency is impressive, Lord Nobukatsu. We are in your debt.

There's nothing impressive about it! You lot should've been able to figure this out yourselves!

It's great that the people of this land are so obedient, but they really need to learn to think for themselves, too.

That is harsh...but fair. Yamataikoku became overly dependent on Sister's power...

What, you mean her power of prognostication?

Ha! My sister could prophesize circles around her any day of the week!

Unfortunately, it was what needed to be done to bring this kingdom together.

Huh? But then

Aaaaaah!

Uh-oh. That came from the shelter!

Ugh! It is ALWAYS something!

...

A-aaaaaah!

...Ahh, aaahhh!

What the...!? Is that woman controlling the black haze!?

Come, Lord Nobukatsu, we must hurry and get everyone to... Lord Nobukatsu?

Th-that's Sister! The big version of her!

Your sister? Then, that would mean she's

S-Sister! I've missed you so much!

I don't know what you're doing, but whatever it is, I'm sure you have a good reason for it!

...

No, Lord Nobukatsu! Stay back!

Aah! What are you doing!?

Stay away from me, you filthy thing.

Huh? S-Sister...?

As if a mere human would ever have the right to approach me.

I am the ruler of Yamataikoku, Queen Iyo.

Sister!? You're the queen!?

It's been a spell, hasn't it?

Been doing well, I hope?

What are you doing here, Mr. Serizawa?

Why wouldn't I be here?

You can't have a Shinsengumi operation without their commander there to lead them, after all.

I take it this is an acquaintance of yours?

...You're wrong, Mr. Serizawa. You're not the commander of the Shinsengumi.

Oh? Then who is?

Don't tell me you think it's Kondou?

Well, Souji?

？！

Commander, Lady Iyo is calling for you.

Understood.

All right then, I'd better be on my way. I've got some business to take care of.

I'll just have to take care of you lot another time.

Do you really think we'll let you escape so easily?

Me? Escape? You've got it backwards.

I'm the one letting you escape in the presence of our queen.

Your queen?

Good, you're here.

N-Nobunaga!?

？！

Nobbu? Is that you!?

Shut your mouths, you blithering fools!

You are in the presence of Lady Iyo, queen of Yamataikoku!

Iyo...? You?

Come, let us be off.

As you wish, Lady Iyo.

Now then, see you later, Souji and friends.

Oh, right. I don't know who you are, but I'm guessing you're their Master?

Senpai...!

I told you we wouldn't let you escape!

...

Huh!? This haze...!

Wahaha! Well, so long.

Th-they just disappeared!

Mr. Serizawa...

This is quite the tale to return to.

Are you positive it was Serizawa, Okita?

I am. I'd recognize him anywhere.

Makes sense. You and he were pretty close, after all.

...

Stop that, Saito.

Um, can I ask who this Serizawa person is?

Oh, yes. His name's Serizawa Kamo.

He's the Shinsengumi's other commander.

Who cares about him!?

The important question is, what happened to Sister!?

That was your sister, Nobukatsu?

But, she said her name was Iyo...

True, but she looked nothing at all like the Lady Iyo we know. What in the world is going on?

Those guys must be controlling her somehow!

She'd never ignore me otherwise!

But then again, there's no way she'd let herself be controlled like that, either...

Argh! I don't know what to think anymore!

Regardless, one thing we can say for sure is that Nobunaga was controlling the Dark Blight.

It also seems safe to assume that that Serizawa man is our enemy, at least for the time being.

Sister... Why...?

At any rate, it's clear we need to determine what that Iyo imposter and this self-styled Shinsengumi commander are after.

？！

Ugh... I never should've drank that much.

Where have you been all this time, Izo?

Hm? What's with all the long faces?

Go away, drunkard. We're discussing serious business right now.

That so? Well, fine with me. I'mma try more of that sake then.

It's pretty cloudy, but damn if it don't taste good.

...